Park fields open, so Play ball!

Published 7:00 pm Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Five pairs of scissors snipped a yellow ribbon Saturday to officially open the South Whidbey Community Park Sports Complex on Langley Road.

On the count of three, South Whidbey Parks and Recreation commissioners cut the plastic tape opening the three soccer fields for the first official day of play.

The site, which was developed over the past year, features 20 acres of grass in three full-size soccer fields — four if squeezed — and a dirt field for winter play. A paved parking lot is striped for 118 cars, and includes a gravel overflow area for another 30 vehicles. Restroom facilities will be constructed later this summer.

Getting those gathered for the occasion to temporarily turn their attention from the free hot dogs and soda, parks Commissioner Jim Porter said the new fields, which the parks district purchased in 2000 for $330,000, is something that was needed.

“This is a great site and really gives South Whidbey youth more playing space.”

With improvements, the total project cost was $1.2 million.

Future plans include the addition of a picnic shelter and children’s play equipment.

Parks Director Suzette Hart honored a number of people who worked to make the new facility a reality, including soccer mom and South Whidbey Youth Soccer board member Linda Cotton. Cotton was the chairwoman of the 2000 bond campaign that funded the new facility.

Hart said the project, which was in the works for several years, would not have happened without support from South Whidbey resident Ray Gabelein Jr.

“Ray lobbied hard for this area to become soccer fields,” she said. “It was his vision and dream that made sure it became a reality.”

Gabelein, who formerly served as vice president of the South Whidbey Little League, said he saw a need for additional playfields because of the limited space at the park.

“The topography of the 33 acres which joins park property really lends itself to soccer,” he said. “I knew it would have houses on it if the parks commissioners didn’t take the opportunity and buy the land.”

Rev. Mikkel Hustad from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Clinton ended the opening ceremony with a prayer that summed up the day.

“For generations to come, it’s a thrill to say the words, play ball.”